ingénu

naive

adjective an-zheh-NU Rare

Origin: Latin ingenuus, freeborn, hence frank and open

Also means

ingenuous

Usage Note

Ingénu describes someone charmingly innocent or unsophisticated, often with a slightly theatrical tone — the stock character of the ingénue in theatre is a young, naive girl. The feminine form ingénue is actually better known internationally through borrowing into English.

Examples

"Son regard ingénu désarma tout le monde."

Natural Translation

His naive gaze disarmed everyone.

Literal Translation

His gaze naive disarmed all the world.

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